I have a golf ball sized lump or knot in my left boob on the side and I just had breast implants and a lift done in September.

Question

Just this Friday, almost 6 to 7 weeks after my breast implants and lift surgery I found a golf ball sized lump or knot on the left side of my boob. I didn't even notice it until then. I had a mammogram in august which was 2 months ago and the mammogram was fine but there is a history of breast cancer in my family. The plastic surgeon said without seeing it they don't know so I am going to get an ultrasound on wed and seeing a breast specialist. is it more likely it is cancer or from the surgery?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

It sounds like that you're doing all the right things to obtain an accurate diagnosis. Only a diagnosis based on imaging and or pathology (biopsy) would give you the absolute answer.

Melinda Haws, MD, FACS · Answer

I am unclear why you are not going to see your plastic surgeon as it sounds like they have asked you to do so?  Ultrasounds and being checked by a breast specialist are perfectly appropriate but in my humble opinion should be carried out after your plastic surgeon has seen you for an exam.  I cannot tell you how many of my augmentation patients have a palpable change in their Breasts and go through a great deal of anxiety, stress and expense getting ultrasounds and mammography only to end up back in my office so that I can on physical exam tell them the lump is a valve in the implant, the edge of the implant or a wrinkle in the implant.  I am by no means saying you should not have the ultrasound, it may be exactly the right thing, I am just saying it is coming out of order.  I advise all my breast implant patients that any concerning change in their breast, they need to call me and see me immediately.  I can easily get them in for appropriate testing and on to a breast specialist If it is appropriate.  BUT, I can save them that trip if it is obviously the implant.  Breast specialist are not, as a rule, implant specialists.  This could also be fluid or a hematoma or something else secondary to your first surgery.  Please see your plastic surgeon!!!!!if you were my patient I would want you in my office, ASAP.

Thomas M. DeWire Sr., MD (retired) · Answer

rachelsadie,A lump in the breast merits evaluation, regardless of family history, but a return to your Plastic Surgeon would be a good idea, as there are some issues related to cosmetic breast surgery that may not be clear to "breast specialists" who mainly do biopsies and treat breast tumors.. Breast tumors only rarely grow quickly, like you are describing, but fluid-filled cysts that may be associated with your cycle may have rapid development. They are evaluated by ultrasound, and generally they are punctured with a needle to remove and/or evaluate the fluid.  It is also possible that you could have an area of what is termed fat necrosis, which sometimes occurs after a breast lift, but whether that would present on the side of the breast would depend on what sort of lift was done. A Plastic Surgeon would likely be the best one to evaluate that particular possibility, as it is not commonly seen except after mastopexy or breast reduction procedures.  You do always need to be vigilant regarding breast tumors, given positive family, history, but fortunately most lumps do not turn out to be bad, and you have other potential explanations, all of which merit evaluation an consideration.  I hope that this helps.Best wishes, and good luck, as I am sure you are concerned.Tom DeWire, MD, FACSRichmond, VA

I have a golf ball sized lump or knot in my left boob on the side and I just had breast implants and a lift done in September.

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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I have a golf ball sized lump or knot in my left boob on the side and I just had breast implants and a lift done in September.

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.